O'Connor gets over the hump, into state semifinals

O'Connor's Zach Galindo gets off a pass as Madison's Josh Meno closes in on him during the fourth quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49.

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

O'Connor's Clay Lansdale pulls in a thirteen yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game with Madison at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

O'Connopr's Tre Johnson (center) pulls down a reception between Madison's Avery Williams (left) and Marquis Warford during the third quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

O'Connor's Tre Johnson (center) dives across the end zone for a second quarter touchdown during their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game with Madison at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. Johnson rushed for 149 yards to help the Panthers come away with a 52-49 victory over the Mavericks. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

O'Comnor's Marces Garza-Dishmon (right) tries to make a flying tackle on Madison's Marquis Warford during the first quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. Warford ran for 256 yards and five touchdowns though O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

Madison's Marquis Warford (center) scores on a 22-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game with O'Connor at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

Madison's Josh Meno (top) leaps in the air as O'Connor's Dillon Westall (right) kicks a 37-yard field goal during the fourth quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game with Madison at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

Madison's Marquis Warford (left) celebrates a third quarter touchdown with Byron Daniels during their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game with O'Connor at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

The Madison Mavericks take the field prior to their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game with O'Connor at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

The O'Connor Gold Dusters sing the school song prior to their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game with Madison at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

O'Connor's Clay Lansdle goes into the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown reception during the third quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/For the Express-News

Madison's Marquis Worford runs past O'Connor's Xavier Guillen (right) and Peyton Dees during the third quarter of their Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal game at the Alamodome on Dec. 8, 2012. O'Connor beat the Mavericks 52-49. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Brennan's Julio Compean is lifted up by his teammates as the Bears celebrate on the field at the end of a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Brandeis spirit members hold flags during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

The O'Connor varsity football team walks onto the field during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

The Brandeis varsity football teams walks onto the field during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

O'Connor dance team members preform during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

O'Connor head football coach David Malesky talks his players during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Brennan dance team members preform during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Brandies team captain Trinton Ynclan addresses the crowd during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Band, spirit squads and football players gather on the field during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Band, spirit squads and football players gather on the field during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Brandeis varsity football players stand for their Alma Mater during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

O'Connor team captain Luke Farmer gives an inspirational speech as he walks in front of the Brennan players during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

O'Connor team captain Luke Farmer gives an inspirational speech as he walks in front of the Brennan players during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

O'Connor team captain Luke Farmer gives an inspirational speech during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

O'Connor football players celebrate on the field during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

O'Connor fans stand for their Alma Mater during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Brennan varsity football players stand for their Alma Mater during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Photo By JOHN ALBRIGHT/Express-News

Brennan fans cheer on the Bears during a NISD three school football playoff pep rally for Brandeis, Brennan and O'Connor at Farris Stadium in San Antonio, Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Not many expected O'Connor to still be playing football in December. The Panthers, after all, hadn't made it past the second round in almost a decade. They didn't even win their district.

But as a winter chill sets in around San Antonio, O'Connor is still on the practice field and will play Houston Lamar in the Class 5A Division I state semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday at Burger Stadium in Austin. Express-News staff writer Blake Hurtik takes a look at how the Panthers got there and what lies ahead:

'Hidden in the background'

O'Connor players face their school's playoff history every day when leaving the locker room. The walls of the Panthers' field house list every postseason accomplishment since the school opened in 1998.

The crowning achievement had been 2003, when O'Connor made the regional finals in its first playoff appearance. The Panthers have made the playoffs each season since but hadn't advanced past the second round.

“We're kind of hidden in the background,” senior middle linebacker Luke Farmer said. “We've never really been a dominant team until this year.”

The Panthers ended the past two seasons with lopsided losses to North East ISD teams. MacArthur, led by Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro, beat O'Connor 52-28 in the second round in 2010. A loaded Reagan team handed it a 51-14 loss last season.

“That was bad,” running back Tre Johnson said. “But we were all looking forward to this season.”

Over the hump

Things finally came together for O'Connor thanks to a deep senior class (34 players) and a balanced offense. The Panthers are the only area team to boast a 2,000-yard passer (Zach Galindo) and a 2,000-yard rusher.

They had to beat two of the area's most storied programs to get to the semifinals: Judson in the second round and Madison in the state quarterfinals.

The Panthers had never beaten either and had been 0-10 all-time against Madison.

That changed Saturday as O'Connor utilized some gutsy calls to shock the Mavs 52-49 at the Alamodome.

“We weren't surprised,” Johnson said. “We had been waiting for that game since 7-on-7.”

Now, O'Connor is in the state semifinals for the first time, facing a tradition-rich program in Houston Lamar, which has missed the playoffs twice in the past 28 years. The Redskins won the Class 4A championship in 1953.

No Northside team has ever won state. Only two (Taft in 2001; Marshall in 1991) have made the state title game.

The Panthers are fine with not having history on their side.

“Tell us we're the underdogs,” kicker Dillon Westall said. “We'll just work that much harder.”

Blueprint for success

Stevens coach Lee Bridges knows as well as anyone what O'Connor is going through this week. Bridges coached Taft to the state championship game in 2001, and he took the Falcons to the semifinals in 2010.

He called Panthers coach David Malesky, who he has coached against for years, this week to give some advice.

“I told David, 'Anything can happen at this point,'” Bridges said. “You're a good team, or you wouldn't be here.”

Bridges also can relate to the Panthers' underdog mentality. Taft was coming off a losing record in 2000 and lost its season finale to Clark. Many expected the Raiders to be crushed in the state semifinals by Pearland at the Astrodome in Houston.

Taft won 21-10.

“Nobody knew who we were, and we just showed up and played like we always do,” Bridges said. “We were kind of road warriors that year.”

The Raiders lost to Mesquite 14-13 at Alamo Stadium, but Bridges still fondly recalls that season.

“That's the other thing you want to do is enjoy the ride,” Bridges said. “It doesn't come around very often.”